Harbor House Espresso shut down

LAKEPORT -- Harbor House Espresso in Lakeport was shut down by the Lake County Health Department last month because of state health code and retail food law violations.

The establishment is not connected to a permanent water supply, which is required for permanent structures by state law, according to Director of Environmental Health Raymond Ruminski.

"It is difficult for us to follow through on these regulations, because we know the people, but it is required by law," Ruminski said.

A petition in support of Harbor House has garnered approximately 500 signatures, according to Harbor House Administrator Karen Jackson.

"Public sentiment is always a good thing," Lake County Land-Use and Consumer Protection Supervisor James Scott said. "Our perspective is that we would love to see them have a successful business and thrive in the community, but the public sentiment will come against the obstacle of state law sooner or later. That's kind of what we are bound to."

Harbor House Espresso operated under a temporary provision, Ruminski said.

"This is my livelihood that they have taken away," Jackson said. "There was no time to comply. I just want them (the health department) to give us time to comply. I want them to play fair."

"We were making an exception that we finally had to end," Ruminski said.

Jackson suspects a newer competing business in the area complained, which resulted in the closure, she said.

"There were no complaints," Scott said.

According to Scott, there are other similar businesses in Middletown, Nice and Lucerne, all of which have piped water supplies.

The Jitter Bean in Lakeport is operating under a provisional water permit from the state, according to Scott.

"They are operating with a stored water system, but their days are numbered on that," he said.

Harbor House Espresso had its water delivered to it in jugs, Scott said.

"The problem with Jitter Bean is that commercial property has an old water supply well that doesn't have a seal and has a history of bacterial contamination," Scott said.

Jitter Bean has until the end of September to identify a water source and establish a work plan, according to Scott. It has until the end of December to be completely connected.

J. W. Burch, IV is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 or at jburch@record-bee.com.